American Express Pushes Newark Centurion Lounge Opening to 2027, Unveils Major Expansion Plans

Travelers departing from Newark, New Jersey, will face a longer wait for the debut of a Centurion Lounge.

On October 8, 2026, American Express announced that the lounge’s opening has been pushed to 2027 from the originally planned 2026 debut. When it opens, the facility will be the largest in the Centurion network.

The company also revealed expansion plans for its lounges in London, Houston, and Philadelphia over the next two years. The moves reflect ongoing overcrowding issues at Centurion Lounges, which are open to holders of eligible American Express cards. Here are the key details.

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

The Newark location is slated to open in 2027 in Terminal A, where most domestic carriers and Air Canada operate. The issuer had previously targeted a 2026 opening.

The two-story EWR lounge will span more than 30,000 square feet, making it the largest Centurion Lounge to date—significantly larger than the originally announced 17,000-square-foot plan.

Guests will have access to a Blue Roast by American Express grab-and-go coffee bar, as well as three distinct bar experiences: a traditional main bar, a diner-style specialty bar, and a terrace bar.

The terrace bar, inspired by the state’s Pine Barrens forest, will pay homage to New Jersey’s Italian heritage with gelato, pastries, and cocktails.

Newark is a major hub for United Airlines, which operates several lounges at the airport. Delta Air Lines and American Airlines also maintain their own lounges in Terminal A.

London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

American Express plans to add a second lounge at London Heathrow in 2028 in Terminal 5, which primarily serves British Airways and its sister airline Iberia. The new lounge is slated to measure more than 9,000 square feet.

The Terminal 5 location will supplement AmEx’s existing lounge in Terminal 3. Terminal 3 also serves British Airways and Iberia, along with other Oneworld carriers such as American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Virgin Atlantic and its SkyTeam partners, including Delta Air Lines, operate from the terminal as well.

While Heathrow offers numerous lounge options, a Centurion Lounge in Terminal 5 will provide a valuable alternative for British Airways passengers who lack access to the airline’s own facilities.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

AmEx’s existing Philadelphia lounge—currently one of the smallest in the Centurion network—will double in size to more than 12,000 square feet with an expansion slated for 2027.

The lounge will gain an additional floor, and renderings show the inclusion of a Blue Roast by American Express coffee bar.

To accommodate the renovations, AmEx will temporarily close the lounge starting October 16, 2026, with an expected reopening by the end of 2027.

In Philadelphia, AmEx primarily competes with Chase, which opened a 20,000-square-foot Chase Sapphire Lounge at the airport in 2025—one of Chase’s largest. American Airlines, which uses the airport as a transatlantic gateway, also debuted a new Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge there in 2025.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

In 2028, the Centurion Lounge at IAH is expected to expand to more than 23,000 square feet—nearly triple its current footprint, which often feels cramped during peak periods. The expansion would make it one of the largest Centurion Lounges globally.

As part of the project, the lounge will add a specialty dining experience alongside the classic Centurion buffet, a Blue Roast by American Express coffee bar, a full-service bar, and refreshed restrooms and showers.

Starting in December 2026, AmEx will intermittently close the IAH lounge for renovations, though specific closure dates were not provided.

With this expansion, Houston’s international airport is undergoing a significant upgrade. United is also planning its own lounge expansion at the airport, with a brand-new 54,000-square-foot United Club expected to open later in 2026.

What to expect from AmEx in the coming years

Airport lounges have become more popular than ever, especially as premium travel cards extend access to a broader audience. AmEx’s latest announcement reflects that growing demand, which has led to overcrowding in many of its lounges.

In the next few years, travelers can expect more lounges and further expansions from AmEx. The issuer previously announced plans for a 2027 opening of a second Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge location in Charlotte and an expansion of its Centurion Lounge at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Additionally, AmEx is targeting a 2029 opening for a brand-new Centurion Lounge in Boston.

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